Systems and methods to confirm initiation of a callback

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses to initiate callback with confirmation. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a reference (e.g., a callback phone number) in a request for a connection to a destination; providing a code via the reference in response to the request; receiving a code to confirm the request; determining whether the received code matches the provided code; and initiating a connection via the reference for the connection to the destination if the received code matches the provided code.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/678,012, filed Feb. 22, 2007, entitled“Systems and Methods to Confirm Initiation of a Callback”, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

At least some embodiments of the disclosure relate to providingcommunication connections in general, and more particularly but notexclusively, to providing communication connections via callback.

BACKGROUND

Internet, cellular communication systems, television, newspaper, etc.,provide diverse communication media channels through which people mayreceive information and/or communicate with each other.

For example, telephone systems allow users to conduct real timetwo-way/full-duplex communications in voice. Traditional land-line basedtelephone systems connect one telephone set to another through one ormore switching centers, operated by one or more telephone companies,over a land-line based telephone network. Traditionally, a telephoneconnection is based on a circuit switched network.

Current telephone systems can also use a packet-switched network for atelephone connection. A packet switched network is typical in a computerdata environment. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allow the deliveryof voice information using a packet-switched network, such as theInternet, in which voice information is packaged in a digital form indiscrete packets rather than in the traditional circuit-committedprotocols of the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Cellular networks allow a cellular phone to connect to a nearby cellularbase station through an air interface for wireless access to a telephonenetwork. Wireless telephone systems allow not only voice communicationsbut also data communications. For example, cellular phones can nowreceive and send short messages through a Short Message Service (SMS).Web pages can now be retrieved through wireless cellular links anddisplayed on cellular phones. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) hasbeen developed to overcome the constraints of relatively slow andintermittent nature of wireless links to access information similar oridentical to World Wide Web.

Telephone companies provide services, such as call forwarding. Callforwarding of a telephone system allows a user of a phone at a givenphone number to dial a specific sequence on the phone to cause thetelephone system to forward incoming calls addressed to the phone numberto another specified phone number that is indicated by the dialedsequence.

Click-to-call is another service which allows users to click a button ina web page to request a voice connection to a destination. The call canbe initiated from the user side via VoIP, or be initiated via a callbackto a phone number that is specified by the user.

Telephone systems are frequently used in conducting business. Telephonenumbers are typically provided in advertisements, web sites,directories, etc., as a type of contact information to reach businesses,experts, persons, etc.

The Internet is becoming an advertisement media to reach globallypopulated web users. Advertisements can be included in a web page thatis frequently visited by web users or that returns the result of a userrequested search. Since advertisements included in the web pages containa limited amount of information (e.g., a small paragraph, an icon,etc.), the advertisements can provide links to web sites that providefurther detailed information.

In certain arrangements, the advertisers pay the advertisements based onthe number of visits directed to the web sites through the linksembedded in the advertisements. Thus, the advertisers pay for theperformance of the advertisements.

Performance based advertising generally refers to a type of advertisingin which an advertiser pays for a measurable event that is a directresult of an advertisement being viewed by a consumer. For example,measurable events for some advertisements are based on the selection(“click”) of the advertisements by the customers to follow the linksembedded in the advertisements to the web sites of the advertisers.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

Methods and apparatuses to initiate callback with confirmation aredescribed herein. Some embodiments are summarized in this section.

In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a reference (e.g., acallback phone number) in a request for a connection to a destination;providing a code via the reference in response to the request; receivinga code to confirm the request; determining whether the received codematches the provided code; and initiating a connection via the referencefor the connection to the destination if the received code matches theprovided code.

The disclosure includes methods and apparatuses which perform thesemethods, including data processing systems which perform these methods,and computer readable media which when executed on data processingsystems cause the systems to perform these methods.

Other features of the disclosure will be apparent from the accompanyingdrawings and from the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings in which like referencesindicate similar elements.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate methods to confirm callback request according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate user interfaces which can be used to guide a userthrough a callback process according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a method to confirm a callback according to one embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a method to confirm a callback for voice connection to anadvertiser according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram example of a data processing system whichcan be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a system including a connection server configured on apacket switched network according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a connection server according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well known or conventional details are not described in orderto avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodimentin the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references tothe same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one.

In one embodiment, a system is provided to allow the confirmation of acallback request before a callback is performed to establish acommunication connection.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate methods to confirm callback request according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

In FIG. 1, a connection provider (109) is capable of providing acommunication connection via making separate connections to the device C(103) (e.g., a phone) and device B (105) (e.g., a phone).

For example, when the connection provider (109) receives a request for aconnection between device B (105) and device C (103) from device A (101)(e.g., a computer), the connection provider (109) receives acommunication reference (e.g., a phone number) of the device B (105).Using the communication reference of the device B (105), the connectionprovider (109) is capable of making a connection between the device B(105) and the connection provider (109).

In one embodiment, before the initiation of the connection to the deviceB (105), a confirmation code is sent to the device B (105) using thecommunication reference of the device B (105) that is received in therequest from the device A (101). A user in control of the device B (105)can obtain the confirmation code and provide the confirmation code backto the connection provider (109) via the device A (101) to confirm therequest.

After the connection provider (109) receives the correct confirmationcode from the device A (101), the connection provider (109) then startsto connect devices B and C (105 and 103).

Thus, if the user of device A (101) is not in control of the device B(105), the user would not be able to provide the correct confirmationcode to confirm the request. Such an arrangement can be used to preventfalse requests from being used to harass the owner of the device B(105).

In one embodiment, the confirmation code is sent to the device B (105)without making a connection to the device B (105) for real timecommunication.

For example, instead of calling the device B (105), the confirmationcode can be sent to the device B (105) via a data channel, such as SMS,email, presence status, etc. The delivery of the confirmation code isless intrusive for the user of the device B than a call for a connectionfor real time communication. For example, receiving a confirmation codeto a mobile phone (e.g., cellular phone) via a text message is lessannoying than an unsolicited call.

In one embodiment, the use of the confirmation code is required for theinitiation of the requested connection in response to indications ofabuse, error, or abnormality. For example, a confirmation code may beused after the device A (101) is used to request callbacks to a numberof different devices in a short period of time, or a callback to thedevice B (105) in response to a previous request was not answered ordisconnected shortly after being answered.

In one embodiment, the device B (105) is capable of supporting real timecommunication in voice, as well as data reception without a call. In oneembodiment, the received data are designed to be viewed in response to arequest from the user. Preferably, the reception of the data does notrequire the user to answer a call for a connection. Thus, the use of thedata reception capability of the device B (105) to deliver theconfirmation code can reduce the degree of intrusiveness, if the requestis submitted from device A (101) without the authorization of the userof device B (105).

In one embodiment, the device used to submit the request for a callbackis the same as the device that is to be called back. When the connectionprovider (109) determines that the user is in possession of the devicethat is to be called back, the connection provider (109) can make therequested connection without sending a confirmation code.

In one embodiment, when the connection provider (109) cannot determinewhether the received request is from the user of the device that is tobe called back, the connection provider (109) may send the confirmationcode to the device B (105) and require the confirmation code from therequester to confirm the request.

In one embodiment, the confirmation code can be returned from device B(105). For example, a return SMS message responsive to the SMS messagethat contains the confirmation code from the connection provider (109)can be sent from the device B (105) to the connection provider toindicate that the user is ready to take the callback. Alternative, theSMS message sent from the connection provider (105) may include a phonenumber of the connection provider (105); and the user of the device B(105) can indicate the readiness for the callback by ringing the phonenumber of the connection provider (105) with a period of time of thecallback request and then hanging up to receive the callback.

In one embodiment, the confirmation code can also used to authenticatethe association relation between device A (101) and device B (105), suchthat the confirmation process for subsequent callback requests receivedfrom device A (101) for a callback to device B (105) may be suspended.For example, after the confirmation code is successfully received from aweb browser, a piece of information (e.g., cookie) is stored for thebrowser to associate the device B (105) with the browser. Thus,subsequent requests from the browser to callback to device B (105) maynot need further confirmation (e.g., until the expiration of apredetermined period of time, or until one callback to the device B(105) requested from the browser is rejected).

In one embodiment, a feedback from the device B (105) can be used toauthenticate the association relation between device A (101) and deviceB (105). For example, an SMS message from the connection provider (109)to the device B (105) may include a phone number and a confirmationcode. The user of the device B (105) can confirm the associationrelation between the device A (101) and device B (105) by calling thephone number provided in the SMS message and provide the confirmationcode in the call. Alternatively, the user of the device B (105) may senda reply to confirm the association relation between the device A (101)and device B (105). Alternatively, when the user received the callback,the user may be prompt to confirm the association relation between thedevice A (101) and device B (105). For example, after the user picks upthe call from the connection provider, the user can be connected to aninteractive voice response system, which provides the message “We arecalling you to connect you to Joe's plumber. If you did not make therequest, please press 1; if you want to pre-authorize future callbacksinitiated from the computer you just used to make the request, pleasepress 2, . . . ”. The user can use the dialing pad to provide feedback.In one embodiment, the connection provider (109) initiates the call tothe device C (103) after the user of the device B (105) accepts thecallback (e.g., explicitly by pressing a key, or implicitly by listeningthrough the message and holding the line). In one embodiment, if theuser of device B (105) accepts the callback, explicitly or implicitly,the connection provider (109) stores information to associate device A(101) and device B (105) such that future requests from device A (101)for callbacks to device (B) may not need further confirmation codes.

FIG. 2 illustrate an example of requesting a callback to a phone number(205) for a voice connection to the callee (203).

For example, a click-to-call icon may be presented in the web browser(201). When the click-to-call icon is selected in the web browser (201),a request for a callback to the phone number (205) is sent to theconnection provider (209).

The phone number (205) may be provided to the connection provider via asubsequent page that allows the user of the web browser to enter thephone number. Alternatively, the phone number (205) can be configured tobe stored in the computer that runs the web browser (201) and providedto the connection provider (209) when the click-to-call icon isselected. Alternative, the click-to-call icon may include a referencewhich can be used by the connection provider (209) to determine thephone number (205) (e.g., through decoding/decrypting the reference orthrough looking up the phone number from a database using thereference).

In one embodiment, the phone number (205) is for a phone that isconnected to a landline from a circuit switched telephone network, or amobile phone, such as a cellular phone, or a satellite phone.

In one embodiment, the phone number (205) is assigned by a telephonecarrier to a VoIP-based telephone, such as a software-based phone, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) phone, a Bluetooth phone, etc. The phonenumber (205) can be dialed using a plain old telephone system over acircuit switched telephone network. When the phone number is beingcalled from a circuit switched telephone network, the telephone carrierbridges the circuit switched telephone network and the packet switchednetwork at the telephone number.

Alternatively, the phone number (205) is a VoIP-based phone reference,such as a user identifier of an instant messaging network, a uniformresource identifier, a session initiation protocol (SIP) address, etc.

In response to the web browser (201) providing the phone number (205) tothe connection provider (209) for a callback, the connection provider(209) sends a confirmation code to the phone number via a datacommunication channel (e.g., via SMS).

In one embodiment, the connection provider (209) determines thecapability of the device at the phone number (205) through looking upfrom a telephone directory. For example, when the telephone number isassigned to a cellular phone (e.g., serviced by a specific telephonecarrier), the connection provider may determine that the device at thetelephone number has the capability to receive SMS messages. In oneembodiment, the connection provider (209) determines the capability ofthe device at the phone number (205) through receiving input from theweb browser (201). In one embodiment, the connection provider determinesthe capability of the device at the phone number (205) from a database.The database may be owned by the connection provider or by a partner ofthe connection provider (e.g., a cellular telecommunication carrier, ora third party). In one embodiment, the connection provider may initiatecommunications to automatically interrogate the device at the phonenumber to populate the database.

In one embodiment, the request for a callback is sent from the webbrowser (201), when the user selects a click-to-call icon displayed inthe web browser (201). Alternatively, the request for a callback canalso be sent via other communication methods. For example, a request canbe sent via an email gateway, or SMS gateway, an instant messaging (IM)gateway, or a custom application using a custom designed communicationprotocol.

In one embodiment, when the connection provider (209) fails to find adata communication channel to transmit a confirmation code to the phonenumber (205), the user may be instructed to call the connection provider(209) from the phone number (205) to obtain a confirmation code. Whenthe user calls from the phone number (205) to obtain the confirmationcode, the connection provider (209) can use the Automatic NumberIdentification (ANI) service to verify that the confirmation code isprovided to a caller from the phone number (205).

In one embodiment, instead of sending the confirmation code to the phonenumber (205), the confirmation code is sent to an address that has aknow relation with the phone number, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, a messaging user interface (301) is used to provide the phonenumber (315) to the connection provider (309) to request for a voiceconnection to callee (303) via calling back the phone (305) at the phonenumber (315). Since the phone (305) may not support data reception, theconnection provider (309) can look up an address (317) from the database(313) using the phone number (315) and send the confirmation code to thereceiver (307) at the address (317). The receiver (307) may be an emailreader, an instant messaging application, etc.

Alternatively, a known relation between the address and the phone numbercan be used to compute the address from phone number. For example, anemail address associated with the phone number can be a combination ofthe phone number and a domain identifier of the telephone carrier of thephone number. The telephone carrier may deliver the email via SMS, orforward the email to another email address of the user.

In one embodiment, the phone (305) and the receiver (307) are separatedevices. For example, the receiver (307) is running on a computer whichmay or may not run the messaging user interface (301) (e.g., a webbrowser for email or instant messaging or a standalone application).Alternatively, the phone (305) and the receiver (307) can be on the samedevice. For example, the receiver (307) may be an email client programrunning on the phone (305).

In one embodiment, the confirmation code is transmitted to the receiver(307) in a way which does not typically require the immediate attentionof the user. For example, an email is typically queued in the inbox forviewing at a time convenient to the user.

In one embodiment, a presence status is used to transmit theconfirmation code to the receiver (307) via an instant messagingnetwork. For example, the connection provider may appear as a buddy ofthe user in the receiver (307); and the confirmation code is provided tothe receiver (307) as part of the presence status information of theconnection provider. If the user of the receiver is not the requester,the user would not be bothered by the status information of theconnection provider. If the user is expecting the confirmation code,which is required for the confirmation of the request for a connectionto the callee (303), the user can easily obtain the confirmation codeand confirm the request for callback.

In FIG. 3, the connection to the callee (303), established via acallback, supports voice communication (e.g., a phone connection).

Alternatively or in combination, the connection process according toembodiments of the disclosure can also be used to provide a connectionfor instant messaging, image, video, file sharing, application sharing(e.g., common whiteboarding), etc.

For example, a callback may be used to establish a text chat sessionbetween a customer and an adviser. For example, a callback may be usedto establish an application sharing session between a customer and aspecialist for training, trouble shooting, etc. For example, a callbackmay be used to establish a video conferencing session for meeting,presentation, entertainment, etc.

In one embodiment, the connection provider bridges two individualconnections to the callee and to the caller to provide privacy for thecallee and/or the caller. Thus, the addresses and/or the identities ofthe callee and/or the caller are not revealed to each other through thecommunication connection. The caller and the callee may choose to remainanonymous to each other even after the communication session.

In one embodiment, the connection provider tracks the calls made to thecallee through providing the connection. For example, pay forperformance advertisements can be charged based on the communicationleads generated for the advertisers. Through tracking the callsgenerated via advertisements, the advertisements can be charged on a percall basis (e.g., based on a count of calls). The calls may be atelephone call, a call for an instant messaging session which maysupport text, voice, image and/or video, a call for an applicationsharing session, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which an advertisement is provided witha click to call interface (401), which includes a selectable link, iconor button embedded in the advertisement. When selected, the click tocall interface sends a request to the connection provider (409) for acallback.

In one embodiment, the click to call interface for the advertisementincludes a reference (417) which is associated with the advertiser'sphone number (415) in database (413). The reference (417) is sent to theconnection provider (409) with the callback request; and the connectionprovider (409) looks up the advertiser's phone number (415) using thereceived reference (417).

In another embodiment, the click to call interface for the advertisementincludes an encoded/encrypted version of the advertiser's phone number,which can be decoded/decrypted without relying upon a database (413).When a user clicks the interface, the encoded/encrypted version of theadvertiser's phone number is sent to the connection provider, which candecode or decrypt the advertiser's phone number without relying upon adatabase.

The click to call interface also provides the customer's phone number tothe connection provider.

Since the phone number of the advertiser (403) is not provided in theadvertisement directly, a customer responding to the advertisement callsthe advertiser (403) via the connection provider (409). Thus, the numberof calls generated from the advertisement can be measured.

In one embodiment, to prevent the connection provider (409) from callinga wrong customer (e.g., because of an unintentional or intentional errorin the phone number provided by the requester), the connection provider(409) may provide the confirmation code to the customer via thecustomer's phone number and require the correct confirmation code fromthe click to call interface (401) to connection the advertiser (403) andthe customer (405).

In one embodiment, after the confirmation code is verified, theconnection provider (409) initiates calls to both the advertiser (403)and the customer (405) (e.g., via VoIP calls). Based on the phonenumbers of the advertiser (403) and the customer (405), the callsinitiated from the connection provider (409) may be terminated by one ormore telephone carriers at phones connected to a circuit switchednetwork, or a package switched network.

In one embodiment, the advertiser (403) specifies the price bid for eachcalls received from the advertisement; and the advertisements arepresented based at least in part on the price bids. For example, whenthe advertisements are presented in response to a search, the order inwhich relevant advertisements are presented can be based on the pricebids.

In one embodiment, the advertiser (403) provides services (e.g., advice,entertainment, information, etc.) over the communication connection tothe customer (405). The customer (405) is charged for the time of theadvertiser (403); and a portion of the fee charged by the advertiser(403) is retained by the connection provider (409) for the servicerendered by the connection provider (409).

In one embodiment, a seller who offers services over the communicationconnection provided by the connection provider (409) may include theclick to call interface in their own web site, blog, email, etc. Theclick to call interface includes the reference (417) that is associatedwith the advertiser's phone number (415). Thus, the connection provider(409) provides the connection service but may or may not provideadvertising service. In one embodiment, the connection provider (409)also provide the services of collecting fees from the customer (405) onbehalf of the seller (e.g., advertiser 403), if the customer (405)purchases communication time with the seller.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate user interfaces which can be used to guide a userthrough a callback process according to embodiments of the disclosure.In FIGS. 5-6, a graphical representation of the connection process ispresented with status information illustrating the progress of theconnection process and instructions for the user to step through theconnection process.

For example, in FIG. 5, the interface (501) shows that the connection tothe phone of the user and the connections are to be established, asindicated by the dotted lines pointing to the icons (507 and 509) therepresent the caller and the callee. The user is prompted to enter thephone number in entry boxes (503) and use the “submit” button (505) toprovide the system with the callback phone number.

After the callback phone number is received, the interface (601) in FIG.6 is shown, which indicates that a confirmation code has been sent tothe phone number of the user. The user is prompted to enter theconfirmation code in entry box (603) to confirm the request for callback using the “call me back” button (605). The user may choose tocalled back immediately or after a period of time using the selectionbox (607). In one embodiment, a user can select a time period from a setof pre-determined time periods (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10minutes, 15 minutes, etc.). In another embodiment, the user can enterthe minutes that the system should wait before calling back the phonenumber.

FIG. 7 shows a method to confirm a callback according to one embodimentof the disclosure. In FIG. 7, a reference (e.g.,, a phone number) isreceived (701) in a request for a connection to a destination (e.g., aphone connection). The connection to the destination is to beestablished via calling back the requester according to the reference(and calling the destination). In response to the request, a code isprovided (703) via the reference. A code is then received (705) toconfirm the request. It is determined (707) whether the received codematches the provided code. If the received code matches the providedcode, a connection is initiated (709) via the reference for theconnection to the destination.

In one embodiment, the callback reference includes a session initiationprotocol (SIP) address or a uniform resource identifier (URI) (e.g., fora voice connection, for an instant messaging connection, etc.).

In one embodiment, the code can be provided via the reference through adata channel addressed to the reference, such as short message service(SMS), or an address (e.g., an email address, an instant messagingidentifier) determined according to the reference. In one embodiment,the code is provided to the address as presence status information.

In one embodiment, the code can be provided as a Completely AutomatedPublic Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA), in atext format, an audio format, a voice format, or a video format.

In one embodiment, the provided code and the received code aredetermined to be matching with each other when the provided code and thereceived code are the same.

In another embodiment, the provided code and the received code aredetermined to be matching with each other when the provided code and thereceived code have a predetermine relation but are not the same. Forexample, the received code may be required to be one increment above theprovided code.

In one embodiment, an instruction to manipulate the provided code togenerate the code that is to be sent back to the connection provider forconfirmation is provided with the confirmation code. In one embodiment,the instruction to manipulate the provided code to generate the codethat is to be sent back to the connection provider for confirmation isprovided in the click to call interface.

In one embodiment, the instruction is provided to prevent a machine frommaking the request without a human behind it. Thus, the confirmationprocess can also be used to verifying that the request is from a humanuser.

In one embodiment, the confirmation code is sent in the form of aCompletely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and HumansApart (CAPTCHA). For example, random words or letters are displayed in adistorted fashion so that they can be recognized by people, but not bysoftware. The tests are typically formulated to require a solution to adifficult problem in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) tocompile a software which could pass the tests.

In one embodiment, the confirmation code is sent in a text formataccording to the reference received. Alternatively, the confirmationcode may be sent via voice mail, audio signal, image, video clip, etc.

FIG. 8 shows a method to confirm a callback for voice connection to anadvertiser according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In FIG. 8, anadvertisement is provided (801) on behalf of an advertiser. A userselection of the advertisement for a voice connection to the advertiseris received (803). The user is prompted (805) for a callback phonenumber. After receiving the callback phone number, a confirmation codeis sent (807) to the callback phone number (e.g., via SMS, MMS(multimedia messaging service), or email, or a status indicator). Theuser is then prompted (809) for the confirmation code.

It is then determined whether the user submitted the correctconfirmation code. If the confirmation code received from the user iscorrect, a first call is placed (811) to the callback phone number and asecond call to the phone number of the advertiser. The first and secondcalls are bridged (813) to connect the user and the advertiser. Theadvertiser is charged (815) a fee for the advertisement in response tothe phone call from the user to the advertiser.

If the confirmation code received from the user is incorrect, thecallback is not initiated. The user may resubmit the confirmation codeor make a correction to the callback number.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram example of a data processing system whichcan be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure.

While FIG. 9 illustrates various components of a computer system, it isnot intended to represent any particular architecture or manner ofinterconnecting the components. Other systems that have fewer or morecomponents may also be used with the present invention.

In FIG. 9, the communication device (951) is a form of a data processingsystem. The system (951) includes an inter-connect (952) (e.g., bus andsystem core logic), which interconnects a microprocessor(s) (953) andmemory (958). The microprocessor (953) is coupled to cache memory (954)in the example of FIG. 9.

The inter-connect (952) interconnects the microprocessor(s) (953) andthe memory (958) together and also interconnects them to a displaycontroller and display device (957) and to peripheral devices such asinput/output (I/O) devices (955) through an input/output controller(s)(956). Typical I/O devices include mice, keyboards, modems, networkinterfaces, printers, scanners, video cameras and other devices whichare well known in the art.

The inter-connect (952) may include one or more buses connected to oneanother through various bridges, controllers and/or adapters. In oneembodiment the I/O controller (956) includes a USB (Universal SerialBus) adapter for controlling USB peripherals, and/or an IEEE-1394 busadapter for controlling IEEE-1394 peripherals.

The memory (958) may include ROM (Read Only Memory), and volatile RAM(Random Access Memory) and non-volatile memory, such as hard drive,flash memory, etc.

Volatile RAM is typically implemented as dynamic RAM (DRAM) whichrequires power continually in order to refresh or maintain the data inthe memory. Non-volatile memory is typically a magnetic hard drive, amagnetic optical drive, or an optical drive (e.g., a DVD RAM), or othertype of memory system which maintains data even after power is removedfrom the system. The non-volatile memory may also be a random accessmemory.

The non-volatile memory can be a local device coupled directly to therest of the components in the data processing system. A non-volatilememory that is remote from the system, such as a network storage devicecoupled to the data processing system through a network interface suchas a modem or Ethernet interface, can also be used.

In one embodiment, the system of FIG. 9 is used to implement aconnection provider (e.g., 109, 209, 309, 409).

Further, a user device (e.g., 103, 105, 101) as a client system can beimplemented using a data processing system similar to the system of FIG.9. A client system can be in the form of a PDA, a cellular phone, anotebook computer or a personal desktop computer. For example, the I/Odevices of the user device may include a USB phone, a Bluetooth wirelessphone, or one or more speakers or headphones with one or microphones forthe implementation of a software based phone.

Alternatively, the traditional communication client(s) (e.g., a plainold telephone system) may be used in some embodiments.

From this description, it will be appreciated that certain aspects ofthe disclosure are embodied in the user devices, certain aspects of areembodied in the server systems, and certain aspects are embodied in asystem as a whole.

Embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented using hardware,programs of instruction, or combinations of hardware and programs ofinstructions.

In one embodiment, a connection provider uses a connection serverconfigured on a packet switched network to provide telephone connectionsbetween callers (e.g., customers) and callees (e.g., advertisers), asillustrated in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the connection server (1007)receives and/or places telephone calls via the telecommunication carrier(1005) over the packet switched network (1009). The telecommunicationcarrier (1005) further routes the telephone communications towards thecaller (1001) and the callee (1003).

Since the telecommunication carrier (1005) can route a call from apacket switched network to a variety of destinations (e.g., atraditional analog telephone set, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, aWiFi phone, a Bluetooth phone, a softphone running on a computer, etc.),the connection sever (1007) can use one type of communication connectionwith the telephone carrier (1005) to facilitate the communicationconnections with variety of devices used by the customers (e.g., callersand callees). Thus, the implementation of the connection server (1007)can be simplified. In one embodiment, the connection server (3307) canalso place and/or receive direct VoIP calls to/from the caller (orcallee).

For example, to make a voice connection in response to a click-to-callrequest, the connection server can place separate VoIP calls, via thetelecommunication carrier (1005), to the caller (1001) (e.g., therequester of the click-to-call) and the callee (1003) (e.g., thedestination of the click-to-call request).

If the caller (1001) (or the callee 1003) is on a public switchedtelephone network

(PSTN), the telecommunication carrier (1005) bridges the packet switchedthe network and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Thetelecommunication carrier (1005) routes the call from the packetswitched network (1009) to the caller (1001) (or the callee 1003) on thecircuit switched network. Thus, the caller (1001) (or the callee 1003)can use a telephone set to receive the call via a Plain Old TelephoneService (POTS). The connection server (1007) joins the separate callsthat are placed via the packet switched network (1009) to connection thecallee (1003) and the caller (1001).

In one embodiment, call signaling and media content may use differentnetwork paths. While call signaling is arranged to go through the packetswitched network (1009) and the connection server (1007), the mediastream does not have to go through the connection server (1007). Forexample, when the calls are joined, the media content may be redirectedto flow over the communication carrier (1005) without going through thepacket switched network (1009) to the connection server (1007) forimproved performance and efficiency. The connection server (1007) canrelease the control over the media stream to allow the media stream toflow through the shortest path, without going through the connectionserver, while maintaining control to the connection for the call bystaying on the path for call signaling.

In another example, when the caller (1001) initiates a call over a PSTNto the connection server (1007), the telecommunication carrier (1005)converts the call for the packet switched network (1009) for theconnection server (1007).

In one embodiment, virtual softphones on the telecommunication carrier(1005) are assigned to the caller (1001) and the callee (1003) forinterfacing with the connection server (1007) over the packet switchednetwork (1009). The virtual softphones encapsulates the devices andnetworks used by the caller (1001) and callee (1003) to access theconnection server (1007); and the telecommunication carrier (1005)shields the connection server (1007) from the implementation details ofthe user devices and networks used by the caller (1001) and the callee(1003). The connection server (1007) calls (or receives calls from) andconnects the virtual softphones on the telecommunication carrier (1005)to connect the caller (1001) and the callee (1003).

In FIG. 10, the telephone connection between the telecommunicationcarrier (1005) and the connection server (1007) is facilitated via apacket switched network (1009). Thus, the connection server (1007) canoperate efficiently in a digital domain. The connection server (1007)interfaces with the telecommunication carrier (1005) using one type ofInternet Telephony systems (e.g., SIP-based Internet telephony).

Alternatively, a connection server may include some or all of thefunctionality of the telecommunication carrier (1005). For example, theconnection server may be configured to bridge a packet switched networkand a circuit switched network. The connection server may supportmultiple, different types of Internet Telephony systems.

In one embodiment, the connection server (1007) and thetelecommunication carrier (1005) are operated by different, separateentities. Alternatively, the connection server (1007) and thetelecommunication carrier (1005) may be operated by the same entity. Inanother embodiment, the telecommunication carrier (1005) includes a setof facilities operated by a number of separate entities.

In one embodiment, the caller (1001) and/or the callee (1003) may alsoplace/receive calls via a packet switched network. The telecommunicationcarrier (1005) may route the calls between the caller (1001) and thecallee (1003) without using a PSTN. In one embodiment, caller (1001)and/or the callee (1003) may place calls to or receive calls from theconnection server (1007) via Internet.

FIG. 11 shows a connection server according to one embodiment. In FIG.11, the connection server (1006) is configured to place and/or receiveVoIP calls using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A session bordercontroller (1101) is used to interface with the packet switched network(1103) and control the types of network traffic related to VoIP callsthat might go into the connection server (1105).

In one embodiment, the session border controller (1006) is configured tocontrol the signaling and media stream during the setting up, conductingand tearing down of VoIP calls to or from the connection server (1105).In some embodiments, the session border controller (1006) may pick upthe call that comes to the session border controller (1006), places aseparate call from the session border controller (1006), and joins thereceived call and the placed call to control both the signaling andmedia stream. In some embodiments, the session border controller (1006)may perform signaling/encoding translation to allow the connectionserver (1105) to process the VoIP calls in one standard, while receivingVoIP calls in a variety of standards (e.g., SIP, H.323, etc.). In oneembodiment, the session border controller (1006) is configured toperform one or more firewall functionalities, such as denial of serviceprotection, call filtering, bandwidth management, etc.

In one embodiment, the session border controller (1006) is configured toperform media releasing operation. When the session border controller(1006) determines that the source and destination of a media stream ison the same side of the session border controller (1006) (e.g., both thesource and the destination of the media stream is outside the connectionserver 1105), the session border controller (1006) can release thehairpining of the media stream and allow the media stream to flowwithout going through the session border controller (1006).

In FIG. 11, a set of SIP servers (e.g., 1111, 1113, . . . , 1119) arenetworked to the session border controller (1101) to receive messagesfor incoming calls and to initiate outgoing calls. The session bordercontroller (1101) is configured to evenly distribute the calls forprocessing by the SIP servers.

For example, when an incoming message for the initiation of a call isreceived (e.g., a SIP INVITE message from the telecommunication carrier1005), the session border controller (1101) may route it to a SIP server(e.g., 1111) for processing. The INVITE message includes the phonenumber dialed by the caller and the contact information about the caller(e.g., the phone number of the caller 1001 and/or the identity of thevirtual SIP phone at the telecommunication carrier 1005).

The SIP server may determine whether the phone number dialed by thecaller (1003) is sufficient to determine the phone number of the callee(e.g., 1003). If the phone number of the callee (e.g., 1003) can bedetermined from the phone number dialed by the caller (1003) (e.g., viadecoding the phone number dialed by the callee, or looking up the phonenumber of the callee from a table using the phone number dialed by thecaller as a key), the SIP server can place a separate SIP call to thecallee via the packet switched network (1103) and then connect thecaller and the callee. Alternatively, the SIP server can further routethe SIP INVITE message (e.g., to the telecommunication carrier (1005) todirect the call to the callee. For example, the SIP server may modifythe INVITE message by replacing the destination with the determinedphone number of the callee. Further, the SIP server can modify theINVITE message by removing the phone number of the caller (or replacingthe phone number of the caller with a phone number of the connectionserver). In one embodiment, the modified INVITE message identifies thevirtual softphone corresponding to the caller on the telecommunicationcarrier as the SIP phone initiated the call; thus, the virtual softphonecorresponding to the callee on the telecommunication carrier canestablish media connection with the virtual softphone corresponding tothe caller on the telecommunication carrier directly. Alternatively, themodified INVITE message may identifies a media server (1121) (or avirtual softphone on SIP server) as the initiator for a separate call.The SIP server then connects the calls for the media stream.

In one embodiment, the caller is first connected to a media server(e.g., 1121, 1123, or 1129). For example, the SIP server may forward theSIP INVITE message to one or more of the media servers for answering thecall. When a media server (e.g., 1121) answers the call, a prompt isplayed to the caller by the media server. The media server may includean Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, or be connected to an IVRsystem, to obtain input from the caller.

For example, the media server may prompt the caller to enter theextension assigned to the callee, such that the phone number of thecallee can be determined based on the phone number including theextension dialed by the caller. In some embodiments, the extensiondialed by the caller is sufficient to determine the phone number of thecallee. After the phone number of the callee is determined, the SIPserver can further connect the call to the callee.

For example, the media server can send a message to the SIP server. Themessage identifies the call and the extension obtained from the caller.The SIP server then determines the callee's phone number based at leaston the extension received from the media server and initiates a SIP callvia the packet switched network (1103) (e.g., by sending a SIP INVITEmessage to the telecommunication carrier 1005, which further bridges thecall to the callee 1003). Then, the SIP server disconnects the mediaserver from the call and reconnects the call to the callee.

For example, the SIP server can send a SIP BYE message to the mediaserver to disconnect the media server from the call (e.g., by sending a“BYE” message to the media server for the call) and send a re-INVITEmessage towards the caller to connect the caller and the callee.Alternatively, the media server may send a SIP BYE message to the SIPserver for the call; the BYE message may include the extension obtainedfrom the caller; in response to the BYE message that contains theextension, the SIP server determines the phone number of the callee andfurther connects the caller to the callee.

In one embodiment, the SIP server can direct the caller and the calleeto connect to each other for the media stream without having the mediastream going through the session border controller (1101) into theconnection server (1105). For example, the media stream can go throughthe telecommunication carrier (1005) in FIG. 10 without going to theconnection server (1007) after the SIP server connects the caller andthe callee.

However, the SIP server stays on the signaling path to monitor theprogress and termination of the call. The SIP server can also break theconnection between the caller and the callee, or force the media streamto come through the connection serve (1105). For example, the SIP servermay selectively conference a media server into the call to monitorand/or record the communication of the call between the caller and thecallee. For example, the SIP server may reconnect the caller and thecallee to separate media servers for interaction with an IVR system or ahuman operator to confirm a deal or transaction.

Similarly, the SIP server may initiate a callback to a caller via a SIPcall over the packet switched network (1103) for a connection to thecaller. The SIP call may be bridged onto a circuit switched network(e.g., by a telecommunication carrier 1005). The SIP server can thenreconnect the call to a media server for sending a prompt to the callerbefore reconnect the call to the callee. Alternatively, the callback canbe initiated from a media server; and the call signaling (e.g., theINVITE message from the media server) goes through the SIP server forcall control. Alternatively, the SIP server sends out the INVITE messageon behalf of the media server.

In one embodiment, the SIP servers (1111, 1113, . . . , 1119) and mediaservers (1121, 1123, . . . , 1129) are implemented on separate computersconnected via a local area network (and/or intranet or Internet).Alternatively, at least the some of the servers can be implemented on asame computer. In one embodiment, the SIP servers and the media serversare also integrated with the session border controller (1101) on a samedata process system having multiple processors coupled with a data bus.In one embodiment, the SIP servers are coupled to the media servers viaa network; and a SIP server may use any of the available media serverfor interaction with the caller (or callee). Alternatively, a SIP servermay be configured to use one or more of media servers that are notshared by other SIP server. For example, a SIP server may be implementedon a same data processing system with one or more media servers whichare reserved for the SIP server.

In one embodiment, the connection server (1105) may further include adatabase server (1105) to storing records related to the calls, datamapping between the communication references assigned to the callees andthe actual phone numbers of the callees, etc. In one embodiment, contactmapping are cached in the local memory (e.g., RAM) of the servers forimproved performance; and the cached mapping is updated when thedatabase is updated.

In general, routines executed to implement the embodiments may beimplemented as part of an operating system or a specific application,component, program, object, module or sequence of instructions referredto as “computer programs.” The computer programs typically comprise oneor more instructions set at various times in various memory and storagedevices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or moreprocessors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operationsnecessary to execute elements involving the various aspects of thedisclosure.

While some embodiments have been described in the context of fullyfunctioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that various embodiments are capable of beingdistributed as a program product in a variety of forms and are capableof being applied regardless of the particular type of machine orcomputer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

Examples of computer-readable media include but are not limited torecordable and non-recordable type media such as volatile andnon-volatile memory devices, read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), flash memory devices, floppy and other removable disks,magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media (e.g., Compact DiskRead-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks, (DVDs), etc.),among others. The instructions may be embodied in digital and analogcommunication links for electrical, optical, acoustical or other formsof propagated signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digitalsignals, etc.

A machine readable medium can be used to store software and data whichwhen executed by a data processing system causes the system to performvarious methods of the disclosure. The executable software and data maybe stored in various places including for example ROM, volatile RAM,non-volatile memory and/or cache. Portions of this software and/or datamay be stored in any one of these storage devices.

In general, a machine readable medium includes any mechanism thatprovides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a formaccessible by a machine (e.g., a computer, network device, personaldigital assistant, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one ormore processors, etc.).

Aspects of the disclosure may be embodied, at least in part, insoftware. That is, the techniques may be carried out in a computersystem or other data processing system in response to its processor,such as a microprocessor, executing sequences of instructions containedin a memory, such as ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory, cache or aremote storage device.

In various embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in combinationwith software instructions to implement the embodiments. Thus, thetechniques are not limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software nor to any particular source for the instructionsexecuted by the data processing system.

In this description, various functions and operations are described asbeing performed by or caused by software code to simplify description.However, those skilled in the art will recognize what is meant by suchexpressions is that the functions result from execution of the code by aprocessor, such as a microprocessor.

Although some of the drawings illustrate a number of operations in aparticular order, operations which are not order dependent may bereordered and other operations may be combined or broken out. While somereordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and so do not present anexhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized thatthe stages could be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or anycombination thereof

The foregoing specification provides a description with reference tospecific exemplary embodiments. It will be evident that variousmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the broaderspirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. The specificationand drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative senserather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, from a firstdevice, over a first communication channel, a first request for a firstconnection between a second device and a destination, wherein the firstrequest comprises a reference identifying the second device; in responseto the first request, providing, over a second communication channel, afirst code to the second device using the reference; receiving a secondcode over the first communication channel from the first device;determining, by a computing device, whether the first code matches thesecond code; in response to a determination that the first code matchesthe second code, storing, by the computing device, information toassociate the reference identifying the second device with the firstdevice; and initiating, by the computing device, the first connectionbetween the second device identified by the reference and thedestination; and subsequent to the storing of the information toassociate the reference and the first device, receiving a second requestfrom the first device for a connection to the second device identifiedby the reference included in the second request; and initiating, by thecomputing device, the second connection without further transmitting acode to the second device identified by the reference for confirmationthat the second request is originated from a user of the second device.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference comprises a phonenumber; and the first connection comprises a phone connection betweenthe second device and the destination.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe reference comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) address. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the first connection comprises a voiceconnection.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the reference comprises auniform resource identifier (URI).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theinitiating of the first connection between the second device and thedestination comprises: initiating, by the computing device, a thirdconnection between the second device and a connection provider; andinitiating, by the computing device, a fourth connection between theconnection provider and the destination; and bridging, by the computingdevice, the third connection and the fourth connection.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the initiating of the third connection comprises theconnection provider placing a first Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)call using the reference to a telecommunication carrier which bridgesthe first VoIP call to a public switched telephone network (PSTN); theinitiating of the fourth connection comprises the connection providerplacing a second Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call to atelecommunication carrier which bridges the second VoIP call to a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) to the destination; and the bridgingof the third connection and the fourth connection comprises connectingthe first and second VoIP calls.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein afirst virtual softphone terminates the first VoIP call for bridging ontoa public switched telephone network (PSTN); a second virtual softphoneterminates the second VoIP call for bridging onto a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN); and the connecting of the first and secondVoIP calls comprises: directing the first and second softphones toestablish a direct media connection which does not go through theconnection provider.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstconnection comprises an instant messaging connection.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the reference comprises a phone number; and the firstcommunication channel comprises short message service (SMS).
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the providing of the first code to the seconddevice using the reference comprises: determining, by the computingdevice, an address based on the reference; and providing, by thecomputing device, the code to the address according to the reference.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the address comprises an emailaddress.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the address comprises aninstant messaging identifier.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thecode is provided to the address as a presence status information. 15.The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing, by the computingdevice, reference in an advertisement; and charging a fee for theadvertisement in response to a connection made to the destination viathe reference provided in the advertisement and the reference receivedin the request for the connection.
 16. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first_code comprises a Completely Automated Public Turing test totell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA).
 17. The method of claim 1,wherein the first code matches the second code if the first code is notthe same as the second code but has a predetermined relation with thesecond code.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first code isprovided in a text format, an audio format, a voice format, or a videoformat.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-readable instructions which when executed, cause a system toperform: receiving, from a first device, over a first communicationchannel, a first request for a first connection between a second deviceand a destination, wherein the first request comprises a referenceidentifying the second device; in response to the first request,providing, over a second communication channel, a first code to thesecond device using the reference; receiving a second code over thefirst communication channel from the first device; determining, by acomputing device, whether the first code matches the second code; inresponse to a determination that the first code matches the second code,storing, by the computing device, information to associate the referenceidentifying the second device with the first device; and initiating, bythe computing device, the first connection between the second deviceidentified by the reference and the destination; and subsequent to thestoring of the information to associate the reference and the firstdevice, receiving a second request from the first device for aconnection to the second device identified by the reference included inthe second request; and initiating, by the computing device, the secondconnection without further transmitting a code to the second deviceidentified by the reference for confirmation that the second request isoriginated from a user of the second device.
 20. A system, comprising: amemory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory to: receiveover a first communication channel, a first request for a firstconnection between a second device and a destination, wherein the firstrequest comprises a reference identifying the second device; in responseto the first request, provide, over a second communication channel, afirst code to the second device using the reference ; receive a secondcode over the first communication channel from the first device;determine whether the first code matches the second code; in response toa determination that the first code matches the second code, storeinformation to associate the reference identifying the second devicewith the first device; initiate first connection between the seconddevice identified by the reference and the destination; and subsequentto storing of the information to associate the reference and the firstdevice, receive a second request from the first device for a connectionto the second device identified by the reference included in the secondrequest; and initiate the second connection without further transmittinga code to the second device identified by the reference for confirmationthat the second request is originated from a user of the second device.